Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE PCET)

Teacher

Categories

Adult Courses, Adult Teaching, Higher Education, Teaching Professions

Free

Overview

Level: 7 | Duration: 2 Years | Start Date: September 2026
Days of the Week: Thursday, 1pm - 5pm
Location: Riverside College, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QQ
Part Time Course

Qualification awarded by Staffordshire University

Overview

The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PCET) is an ideal course for those who wish to gain a full teaching qualification in order to teach in the Further Education Sector. You will learn how to plan and deliver adaptive teaching by gaining an in depth understanding of the principles of learning, assessment and curriculum design.

This is a 2-year part time qualification meaning that candidates must have a paid teaching position or unpaid teaching hours. There is a requirement for candidates to have a minimum of 150 hours teaching over the two years in a full teaching role. A full teaching role is one in which you will plan and deliver lesson on accredited qualifications across a range of levels, learners or types, and contribute to a range of programmes of varying lengths.

There is an additional requirement of 100 hours of wider teacher responsibilities over the two years such as tutorials, open evenings, marking and standardisation. Riverside College may be able to offer voluntary teaching experience to suitable candidates, depending on subject availability and candidate suitability.

On successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate in Education award, students will be awarded with a University of Staffordshire Certificate.

Entry Requirements:

A Level 3 qualification in the subject/skill area you wish to teach (if different to degree subject)
A degree in the subject/skills you wish to teach (normally a 2:2 or above classification)
GCSE Grade C in English Language and maths (or Ofsted equivalent e.g. Functional Skills level 2)
Where English is not the applicant’s first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English. A current IELTS 6.5 or above (with no element lower than 6.0 in each category) or equivalent.
A current enhanced satisfactory DBS
Access to a subject specific mentor
A minimum of 150 hours teaching practice across two years
A minimum of 100 hours of wider teacher role responsibilities across two years
Admissions interview
An interview with the teaching and learning curriculum team

Course Fee (Per Year): £4,020

Click here for information about Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans

Module 1 - Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Post-Compulsory Education and Training

The purpose of this module is to help to provide you with knowledge, understanding and skills relating to teaching, learning and assessment in post-compulsory education and training. It includes understanding the role and responsibilities of a teacher in education and training, agreeing individual learning goals and planning, delivering and assessing inclusive teaching and learning.

Module 2 - Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice

The purpose of the module is to develop your knowledge and skills to include application of theories, principles and models of learning, communication, assessment and curriculum development within your own area of specialism.

Module 3 - Action Research into Subject Specialist Pedagogy

The purpose of the module is to provide you with knowledge, understanding and skills relating to wider professional practice in education and training. To understand the place of evidence-based teaching and learning. It includes understanding professionalism and professional values in education and training, the policy context of education and training, the impact of being accountable to stakeholders and external bodies, and the organisational context of education and training.

Module 4 - Develop Own Professional Competence and Knowledge

Building on Modules 1 & 3, the purpose of this module is to develop your teaching, learning and assessment in education and training. It includes applying theories, principles and models of learning, communication and assessment in relation to planning, delivering and assessing inclusive teaching and learning.

The qualification will consist of 1 x 40 credit module at Level 5 and 1 x 20 credit module at Level 6 (completed in Year 1) with 1 x 40 credit module and 1 x 20 credit module at Level 7 (completed in Year 2). You will be required to attend taught sessions each week as well as undertaking self-study and substantial wider reading.

Why choose Riverside College for this course?

100% pass rate
We have highly experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff who offer a supportive and inclusive learning environment. You will be taught by committed and passionate FE professionals, mentored by subject experts and allocated a pastoral mentor.
Small class sizes enabling individual support.
Delivered by an outstanding college committed to excellence, our PGCE will equip aspiring educators with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to inspire the next generation.

We support local people in transforming their futures.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through observations on your teaching, written assignments, development of a portfolio and a poster presentation.

The practical assessment of teaching requires the completion of 150 hours of teaching practice over two years. It will include ten formal observations. Four of the ten teaching observations will be undertaken by your subject specialist mentor.

There is no examination on this course.

We’re Especially Interested in Applicants with Experience in:

Vocational Areas

Counselling
Health and Social Care
Early Years
Hairdressing (with barbering experience)
Beauty Therapy
Catering (chef)
Engineering (electrical, mechanical, physics, maths) – Bursary may apply*
Creative Arts (film/media, music, drama)
Special Educational Needs (SEND) – Bursary may apply*

A Level Subjects

Maths – Bursary may apply*
Physics – Bursary may apply*
Biology – Bursary may apply*
Chemistry – Bursary may apply*
Sociology
Criminology

If you have expertise in any of these areas, we may be able to offer teaching hours to the right candidates.

*Government bursaries may be available for selected subjects (not guaranteed).

What will this course lead on to?

Upon completion, successful teachers can go on to teach in FE/other post compulsory training/education settings such as:

FE Colleges
Sixth forms
Private training providers
Voluntary organisations
Work-based training
Prisons
Young Offenders Institutions

You may be able to undertake a period of professional formation leading to the achievement of Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills Status (QTLS). If you would like further information about QTLS please access the link below:

QTLS - Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills | Society for Education and Training

Higher Education Links